Windmill.



Patented Oct. I, l90l.

H. W. CLUUGH.

WINDMILL. v (Application flied Dec. 6, 190 0.) (No Modal.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

E m0ujfi 1.9321314.

nAfim-geys no: Nonms PETERS 00.. PHOTO-LINE" wuumc'rou. 0. c4

Pat ented Out. 1, I901.

H. W. CLOUGH.

WINDMILL.

(Application filed Dec- 5, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Illllll 11, j

UNITED STATES PATENT CEFICE.

llENRY W. OLOUGH, OF DODGE CITY, KANSAS.

WINDMILL.

srnoxrrcarrolv farming part of Letters Patent No. 683,593, was dctober 1, 1901. Application filed December 5, i900. seat... 38,796. (No man To all whom it may concern? Be it known that I, HENRY W. CLOUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dodge City, in the county of Ford and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Windmill, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to windmills, and has for its object to provide animproved device of this character in which the parts thereof are compactly assembled, so as to form a strong and durable device which will withstand the strain during the operation of the windmill. It is furthermore designed to provide an improved frame structure for the support of the wheel and to arrange such frame so as to form a vane, within which the wheel is mounted and whereby the device occupies the minimum of space.

A final object resides in animproved mounting of the blades of the wheel, so that they may be automatically feathered to stop the operation of the device when the wind reaches a predetermined Velocity, so as to prevent damage to thewindmill du ring a high wind.

With these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts,- as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope ofthe claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windmill constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation of the combined wheelframe and vane with the wheel in section and in its feathered orinoperative position. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view taken through the slidable connection between the plunger-rod and the standard or mast for supporting the wheel. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the outer edge of one of the wheel-blades. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing the mounting of one of the wheel-blades, between a pair of the radial arms thereof.

Like characters of reference designate cor responding parts in all of the figures of the drawings. k

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the standard or mast for the support of the wheel is formed in two longitudinal sec tions 1 and 2, which have their correspond ing ends connected, while their intermediate portions are separated for the reception of the inner ends of various frame-bars, as will be hereinafter described. The foot of this mast is pivotally supported in a suitable base 3, embedded in the ground, while its upper end is held in an upright position by means of a plurality of downwardly-inclined braces 4, which have their upper ends connected to a collar or plate 5, swiveled to the upper end of the mast, and their lower ends anchored to the ground in any suitable manner. (Not shown in the drawings.)

In providing the wheel-frame there is employed the upper and lower end bars 6 and 7, which have their inner ends received within the space between the mast sections and bolted or otherwise secured thereto. The outer ends of these bars are connected by means of a pair of upright bars 8, which embrace the end bars and also project beyond the latter for the reception of the outer ends of the respective inclined brace-bars?) and 10, that have their inner ends secured between the mast-sections at points aboveand below the top and bottom end bars, respectively.

Substantially midway between the top and bottom of the wheel-supporting frame and held between the sections of the mast and the outer upright side of the frame are the corresponding bearing-blocks 11, in which are journaled the opposite end portions of a horizontal wheel-shaft 12, which has its front end projected beyond the mast and provided with a crank 13, from which the power is transferred.

The operating-wheel is mounted upon the horizontal shaft and comprises a hub 14, fixedly secured to the shaft, and a plurality of radial arms 15, carried thereby, and between which are mounted the blades 16, so as to be normally held in the plane of the wheel, as shown in Fig. 1, and also adjusted or feathered into positions substantially at right angles thereto, as indicated in Fig. 2, the latter position rendering the wheel inoperative.

To mount the blades so as to obtain the aforementioned adjustments, each blade is provided with ears 17 and 18, which are located at the opposite longitudinal edges of the blade and project in front and rear, respectively, thereof. Each blade tapers inwardly, so as to fit loosely between adjacent radial arms of the wheel, and the bearingears are preferably formed by the opposite terminals of a transverse metal strap or bar 19, secured across the back of the blade, so as to stiffen and strengthen the same. The bearing-ears are located substantially midway between the outer and innerends of each blade and alsolie adjacent to the innersides of the respective pairs of radial arms and at their outer ends, to which they are pivotally connected by means of the respective pivot-pins 20,each pin serving for the opposite bearing-ear of the next adjacent blade. As best indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that each blade does not lie exactly in the plane of the wheel, but is inclined transversely across the same, as in all vertical wheels, so'

as to receive the impact of the wind at an angle, whereby the wheel is turned.

For normally holding the blades in their operative positions each of the same is connected to a sleeve 21, slidably mounted upon the wheel-shaft, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings,and provided with the opposite marginal flanges 22 and 23. Between the inner end of each blade and the adjacent flange 22 is a connecting rod or link 24, which has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the blade and the sleeve, respectively. It will be understood that besides being slidably mounted upon the shaft the sleeve is also designed to turn withthe same through its connections with the Wheel. A vertically-disposed rocking lever 25 is fulcrumed intermediateof its ends upon the bottom end bar of the wheelsupporting frame, as indicated at 26, and nearer the lower end of the lever than the upper end thereof, so that it requires but a slight swing of the lower end to cause a considerably longer opposite swing of the upper end thereof. A bifurcation 27 is formed in the upper end of this lever and receives the outer flange 23 of the sleeve, while its lower end is connected to a counterbalancing-weight 28 by means of a cable 29, that passes through a guide, such as a pulley 30, that is pendent from the bottom brace-bar 10 and located adjacent to the back of the mast. By this arrangement the weight normally holds the lower end of the lever inclined inwardly toward the mast, thereby holding the sleeve 21 at its outer limit, whereby the inner ends of the blades are drawn inwardly between the radial bars of the wheel through the medium of the several links or connecting-rods 24. It will of course be understood that the outer flange of the sleeve turns freely within the bifurcation of the rock-lever, so as not to interfere with the turning of the wheel. Moreover, the counter-balancing device 28 is of such a weight that in the event of a wind of predetermined high velocity the force thereof will be sufficient to overcome the weight, and thereby swing the blades upon their pivotal connections with the arms of the wheel until they assume positions at substantially right angles to their normal and endwise to the wind, whereby the wheel is antomatically thrown out of operation. When the wind falls below a predetermined velocity, the counterbalancing-weight will automatically throw the blades into their operative positions, whereby the windmill does not need the constant attention of an attendant. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the wheel is mounted within the supporting-frame, and both of these parts are located entirely at the rear side of the mast, whereby the frame forms a vane to normally hold the wheel-face to the wind in addition to its original use as a wheel-support.

Another important feature is the location of the bearing-ears at the inner side of the transverse center of each blade in order that the wind may act upon the greater outer portion of each blade, whereby all of the blades are tripped in the same relative position by a wind of predetermined velocity to overcome the weight of the counterbalancing device.

For transferring power from the crank of the wheel-shaft there is provided a plungerrod formed by the opposite longitudinal sections or links 31 and 32, respectively, which are located at opposite sides of the mast and have their upper ends pivotally connected to the adjacent free ends of the members 33 and 34: of a guiding rock-lever that has its outer end fulcrumed upon the lower projecting endof the upright side bar 8 of the wheel-frame, as indicated at 35. It will be understood that the lever members 33 and 34: are located at opposite sides ofthe mast and are also ful crumed to the outer sides of the respective members of the frame-bar 8, so as to pass the wheel adjusting lever without interfering therewith. The free ends of the members of the rocking guide lever are connected by means of a pair of transverse plates or straps 36, which are located upon the front side of the mast. A connecting-rod 37 has its upper end pivotally connected to the crank 13 and 'its lower end loosely connected to the upper of the straps 36as, for instance, by means of a headed pin 38, passed through a suitable perforation in one or both of the straps 36- so as to form a loose or rocking connection to accommodate for the laterally-swinging movement of the upper end of the connecting-rod 37.

A slidable head 39 is mount-ed upon the lower portion of the mast and is provided with an angular opening to fit the angular cross-sectional shape of the mast, so as to turn therewith. Opposite cleats 40 are secured across the upper side of the circular headand IIO 'at opposite sides of the mast, the lower ends of the respective links 31 and 32 being pivotally connected to the cleats, so as to reciprocate the slide upon the mast. The circularslide or head is provided with an outer marginal groove 41 for the reception of a band or collar 42, loosely embracing .the head and formed from a single metal strap, having its opposite ends extended laterally to form the opposite ears 43, that embrace the adjacent end of a horizontally-disposed walking-beam 44, and are pivotally connected thereto, as indicated at 45. The walking beam is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends upon a suitable post 46, and the outer free end of the beam is connected to a pump 47 by means of a pendent link or pump-rod 48.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the pump is operated from the walking-beam, while the latter is in turn operated through the medium of the slidable head 39 and the connection between the latter and the wind-wheel. It will also be understood that the mast is pivotally supported at its opposite ends, so as to turn in obedience to the direction of the wind, and this turning is effected by means of the vane afforded by the skeleton wheel-supporting frame, as the latter is entirely upon one side of the mast, as hereinbefore described. Furthermore, the walking-beam has a swiveled connection with the pivotal mast through the medium of the band or collar 42 and the slidable head 39, whereby the mast may turn within the band without interfering withthe connection between the slidable head and the walkingbeam, and thereby accommodate the windwheel to the direction of the wind at any and all times.

What is claimed is 1. In a windmill, the combination with a longitudinally-slotted and pivotally-supported mast, of a combined skeleton wheel-supporting frame and vane, comprising top and bottom-end bars having their inner ends secured within the slotted portion of the mast, an upright side bar connecting the outer ends of the end bars, a horizontal shaft mounted upon the frame, a wind-Wheel mounted upon the shaft and within the frame, and means for transferring power from the shaft.

2. In a windmill, the combination with a pivotally supported mast, of a combined skeleton wheel-supporting frame and vane, comprising top and bottom end bars projecting at-one side only of the mast, an upright side bar connecting the outer ends of the end bars, a shaft mounted upon the frame, a windwheel mounted upon the shaft and within the frame, and means for transferring power from the shaft.-

3. In a windmill, the combination with a longitudinally slotted and pivotally supported mast, of a combined wheel-supporting frame and vane, comprising top and bottom end bars having their inner ends secured within the slotted portion of the mast, a Vertical outer side bar formed in opposite sections which embrace the outer ends of the end bars and also project in opposite directions beyond the same, top and bottom inclined braces having their respective opposite ends secured within the slotted portion of the mast and between the adjacent projecting ends of the side-bar sections, corresponding bearings secured within the slotted portion of the mast and between the side-bar sections, a shaft mounted in the bearings, a wind-wheel mounted upon the shaft and within the skeleton frame, and means for transferring motion from the shaft. Y

4. A windmill, having a mast, a wind-wheel mounted thereon, and provided with a crankshaft, a plunger-rod section pendent from the crank-of the shaft, a vertically-swinging guiding-lever'having its free end pivotally connected to the lowerend of the plunger-rod section, another plunger-rod section pivotally pendent from the lever, and a reciprocatory head mounted upon the mast and pivotally connected to the lower plunger-rod section, and also having means for transferring power.

5. In a Windmill, the combination with a mast or frame, of a laterally-projecting wheelsupporting frame carried thereby, a shaft mounted upon the wheel-supporting frame, a wind wheel mounted upon the shaft, a forwardly-projecting crank carried by the shaft and at the front side of the mast or frame, a plunger-rod connected to the crank and located upon the front side of the mast, and an intermediate guiding-lever having its outer end fulcrumed upon the wheel-supporting frame and its opposite end projected in front of the mast and pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the plunger-rod.

6. In a windmill, the combination with a rotatably-supported mast, and a wind-wheel carried thereby, of a reoiprocatory head mounted to slide longitudinally upon the mast and fixed against rotation thereon, an operative connection between the wheel and thehead, and a swiveled band or collar embracing the peripheral outer edge of the head and having an operative attachment for transferring power.

7. In a windmill, the combination with an angular and pivotal ly-supported mast, and a wind-wheel, of a circular reciprocatory head having an angular opening slidably receiving the mast, and also provided with an outer marginal groove, a band or collar loosely fitting the groove of the head, and having an operative attachment for transferring power, and an operative connection between the wheel and the head.

8. In a windmill, the combination with a pivotally-supported mast, of a laterally-projecting wheel-supporting frame carried thereby, a shaft mounted upon the frame, a wheel mounted upon the shaft and within the frame, a crank at the forward end of the shaft and upon the front side of the mast, an interme- IIO diate guiding-lever having its outer end fulcru med upon the wheel-supportin g frame and its free end projected in advance of the mast, a plunger-rod section between the lever and the crank, a reciprocatory head mounted upon the mast and below the lever, a plungerrod section between the head and the lever, and a swiveled band or collar loosely embracing the head, andhaving an attachment for transferring power.

9. In a windmill, a mast, a skeleton frame projected laterally therefrom and also disposed vertically, a horizontal shaft mounted within the frame,a wind-wheel mounted upon the shaft and having feathering-blades, a flanged sleeve slidable upon the shaft and in operative relation to the respective blades, a substantially vertical trip-lever fulcrumed intermediate of its ends upon the lower portion of the skeleton frame, and having its upper end bifurcated and receiving the flange of the sleeve, aguide upon the lower portion of the frame and located between the lever and the mast, a cable passed loosely through the guide, one end portion being connected to the lower end of the lever, and its opposite end portion being pendent from the guide, and a counterbalancing-weight suspended from the pendent end of the rope.

10. In a windmill, the combination with a frame, of a wind-wheel, comprising a shaft,

radial arms carried thereby, endwise-feathering blades located between respective arms, each blade having intermediate bearing-ears which project laterally in front and rear, respectively, and are pivotally connected to the inner sides of the adjacent radial arms, and a counterbalancing device connected to the inner ends of the blades. I L

11. In a windmill, the combination with a shaft, of radial arms carried thereby, endwise-feathering blades located between the arms, each blade having a transverse metal strap secured across an intermediate portion thereof, the ends of the strap being projected beyond the opposite side edges of the blade and then directed in opposite directions in front and rear of the blade, forming bearing-ears which lie adjacent to theinner sides of respective radial arms, common pivotal connections for the opposite ears of adjacent blades, said connections passing through respective arms, and a connterbalancing device connected to the inner ends of the blades.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY \V. OLOUGH.

Witnesses:

LLOYD S. EVANS, PORTER CONNELL. 

